Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 420: To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will consider amalgamating some farm inspections including those carried out by the local authorities in respect of the water framework directive and those carried out by him as they relate to the nitrates directive; if so the process and time frame he has in mind; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28752/11]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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My Department, in the context of delivering the Direct Payment Schemes, is required to carry out on-the-spot inspections on a number of farms to ensure compliance with EU legislation in the areas of the environment, food safety, animal health and welfare and plant health and ensuring that the farm is maintained in good agricultural and environmental condition. This is known as cross-compliance. The rate of on-farm inspection required for cross-compliance, including the Nitrates element, is 1% of those farmers to whom the Statutory Management Requirements or GAEC apply. However 3% of farmers must be inspected for compliance with bovine identification and registration while 3% of sheep/goat farmers must be inspected representing 5% of the flock. These inspections are integrated in so far as possible.

Since 2010 my Department has carried out some 1,500 additional Nitrates inspections annually on behalf of the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government. These inspections partially fulfil the Local Authorities obligations and requirements under the Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) regulations. The Local Authorities retain responsibility for their own inspection and monitoring programmes under the Water Pollution Acts, the Water Framework Directive etc. and are also responsible for any follow-up actions that may result from the Nitrates Inspections carried out by my Department on their behalf.

The implementation of these inspections has already seen an amalgamation of information and expertise that has resulted in a reduction in the duplication of inspections across both Departments and more efficient use of resources. My Department is committed to ensuring the maximum level of integration of inspections and will continue to review inspection programmes in all areas with the aim of increasing integration where this is a feasible option.